Kieran Foran

The veteran halves are in a 19-strong group announced by coach Michael Maguire, with regular five-eighth Kodi Nikorima having been ruled out of contention by the Warriors.

Maguire confirmed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will retain the captaincy, even though a shift to the wing or centres looms following the return to availability of star fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who missed all of last year's five Tests.

Veteran hooker Issac Luke is in the group of eight players cut from the 27-man group unveiled midweek ahead of Saturday's clash in Auckland.

The big-money signing from New Zealand Warriors will undergo surgery on Tuesday after an initial treatment plan failed to heal the injury.

Foran requires a procedure to reconstruct the ligaments in a toe on his left foot and will be in a boot for six weeks.

The playmaker will then start a rehabilitation program, but he will play no further part in the current campaign.

Canterbury are languishing second-bottom of the NRL ladder following a run of four consecutive defeats.

And it seems quite a few Bulldogs players share that sentiment.

"Contrary to popular opinion, I didn't come here just because of Des. I was disappointed for him the way things turned out," Foran told NRL.com, referring to Hasler being shown the door in September. The premiership-winning coach has since launched a legal challenge over the way the split took place.

"But I've been really enjoying my time under Dean. It's been great to be coached by him.

"He's a different style to Des as every coach has their own way. But I am enjoying Dean's spin on things.

The NZRL confirmed Foran's new club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, have made him unavailable for the World Cup so he can recover from a quad and back strain he played through for the majority of the 2017 season with the Warriors.

The Kiwis co-host the World Cup alongside Australia and Papaua New Guinea.

The tournament kicks off at the end of next month.

The five-eighth, who has just completed a disappointing and injury ravaged season will call Kiwis coach David KIdwell this week and tell him he's not going to play in the tournament, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Foran wants to get himself right for the Bulldogs next season and is prepared to put this ahead of representing New Zealand in the tournament the country will co-host in just over a month's time.

"I tore my quad during the season," Foran told The Sunday Telegraph.

"My back's been pretty stuffed too. I'm busted.

Former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott said on Tuesday he didn't think Foran had played well recently because he was already thinking about the Bulldogs, who he will join next year.

However, Kearney was not impressed with the implication.

"I think there's been stages where everyone hasn't been at their best and to single out Kieran is pretty ordinary," he said.

"Has he been at his best? Absolutely not. But he's not by himself there, so I don't think he's clocked out early.

Foran remains questionable for the trip to Perth, still nursing the injury he sustained in the second half of the Warriors' Round 14 clash with the Gold Coast Titans, with coach Stephen Kearney including Hingano on the bench as cover at this stage.

With veteran hooker Issac Luke (shoulder) already a confirmed out, it's likely Hingano will feature in the final 17 as the back-up rake even if Foran does play, and the 20-year-old told NRL.com that he will be ready to start if required.

In Foran's absence the Warriors recorded their third win in their past four matches against the Bulldogs last Friday and are now preparing to face the in-form Sea Eagles in Perth sitting just two points outside the Telstra Premiership top eight.

A quadriceps injury that he sustained in Round 14 is not expected to stop Foran from lining up against his former team who have moved into fourth position on the back of four straight wins, their latest a convincing victory over defending premiers Cronulla.

Foran has succumbed to a quad injury, replaced by Ata Hingano in Stephen Kearney's game-day 19-man squad which will take on Foran's future NRL club at Mt Smart Stadium.

Foran's impending move to Belmore coincided with Reynolds taking up a rich four-year deal with the Wests Tigers, with the fiery playmaker stung at having to leave his junior club.

The showdown had promised plenty of feeling however it has been robbed of its headline act.

Coach Stephen Kearney says classy five-eighth Foran is recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained in the Warriors' 34-12 win over Gold Coast a week-and-a-half earlier.

A bye week had given the Kiwis international extra time to recuperate and a late call will be made on his availability.

"We'll give him until as late as possible, probably until the captain's run on Thursday," Kearney said.

"But he's progressing and we're hopeful he'll be OK."

Foran ended months of speculation about his future in April by signing a three-year deal with the Bulldogs.